Mistletoe: from Christmas Tradition to Cancer Fighting Tool

Background info:

Mistletoe is a plant that grows as a parasite in various trees. It is well known as a Christmas decoration, under which lovers are kissing each other. There are various types of Mistletoe species but the name mistletoe typically refers to the Viscum album species.

Mistletoe extracts are among the most widely used in integrative cancer care treatments, at least in Europe. It has been a
successful remedy for advanced cancer since 1917 – in 2003 more than 18 million daily doses were prescribed in Germany. (Ref.) This is because of the relatively rare combination of important aspects: i.e. low cost, availability and anti-cancer potential underlined by a large amount of academic research and positive case reports in humans, some of which will be discussed below. It’s a treatment that most can afford and can be easily and fast applied. It’s safety profile is well known, since it has been used in the treatment of cancer for the past ~100 years.

The amount of academic literature on Mistletoe (Viscum album) is large (Ref.1, Ref.2), and even more impressive is the amount of positive scientific reports following its use in humans either as a stand alone therapy or in combination with chemotherapy. Some of these reports are listed in one of the sections below.

Just to be clear, like with all conventional or alternative treatments, this is not a cure-all cancer treatment. Some patients may not benefit at all from Mistletoe. But what is clear is that based on all the reports available, many patients have benefited while using it and according to scientific reports from multiple sources, some have even been cured of cancer while on Mistletoe as a stand alone treatment. Therefore, this to me is a promising treatment that can be even applied at home.

As it grows in multiple types of trees, Mistletoe contains various anti cancer substances depending on the host tree. Accordingly, there are multiple types of mistletoe solutions, each used for specific category of cancers. In addition, each type of Mistletoe solution can be found in various concentrations. Furthermore, there are various brands producing it. This variety makes it challenging for someone in need to have this subject clear as soon as possible. As a result, in this post I do not intend to get too deep into the scientific aspects, but more into creating a structured overview so that everyone can understand what may work best for what cancer type and what is the fastest route to application. Before that we will have a look, shortly, at why Mistletoe may be effective against cancer and highlight several case reports showing that indeed Mistletoe can help fight cancer.

Therefore, the purpose of this post is to put the reader on a fast track learning curve regarding the use and outcomes of Mistletoe in cancer.

Note: as discussed in the “Synergies” section below, when tumors are advanced, immune activation by Mistletoe will need to be supported by alkalizing treatments. If that is not done, in my opinion the chance for effectiveness of any immune activating therapy, including Mistletoe, will be very low.

Do we actually know anyone who benefited from Mistletoe injections?

Durable tumour responses following primary high dose induction with mistletoe extracts: Two case reportshttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876382010000272 Durable tumour regression occurred in 2 patients following treatment with VAE, used in higher than generally used doses and combining different applications. Both patients had no other established cancer therapies. Further studies are required to define the strategic role of VAE and its different applications, safety and efficacy.

Successful treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma with Viscum album extract (Iscador M) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17532738 The patient continued subcutaneous treatment with Iscador M after dose adaptation to 2 mg twice weekly (0.2 mL of a 10-mg vial); the treatment is still ongoing to the present. By June 2002, complete remission of the liver metastasis was diagnosed by liver ultrasound examination. There has been no local relapse so far, and the patient has been in stable condition ever since. No further metastases were discovered so far (as of May 2006).

Tumour response following high-dose intratumoural application of Viscum album on a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25082867The tumour decreased in size, softened and loosened from its surroundings. A biopsy during the course showed inflammation.

The case for mistletoe in the treatment of laryngeal cancer (Ref.) To present the case of a patient with laryngeal carcinoma who made a full recovery following mistletoe therapy, despite failing to respond to chemoradiotherapy and salvage laryngectomy. Following treatment with mistletoe extract injections after palliative radiotherapy, he recovered fully and was eventually discharged from care.

Minor regression and long-time survival (56 months) in a patient withmalignant pleural mesothelioma under Viscum album and Helleborus niger extracts-a case report. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29312767 This is a rare case of an MPM patient not receiving any standard anticancer treatment; it still shows an extraordinary long survival and good performance status.

Complete remission and long-term survival of a patient with melanoma metastases treated with high-dose fever-inducing Viscum album extract: A case report. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29145317 A 66-year-old MCM patient with newly diagnosed lymph node metastases opted for sole VAE treatment. VAEs were initially applied subcutaneously, and then later in exceptionally high, fever-inducing doses, both intravenously and intralesionally. The metastases shrunk over the following months, and after 2 years, all lesions had completely remitted (regional and hilar lymph nodes). The patient has been tumor free for 3.5 years at the time of publication (and for 5 years since initiation of intensified VAE treatment). Besides fever and flu-like symptoms, no side effects occurred.

Survival of cancer patients treated with mistletoe extract (Iscador): a systematic literature review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804713/ Despite obvious limitations, and strong hints for a publication bias which limits the evidence found in this meta-analysis, one can not ignore the fact that studies with positive effects of VA-E on survival of cancer patients are accumulating.

Randomised and non-randomised prospective controlled cohort studies in matched-pair design for the long-term therapy of breast cancer patients with a mistletoe preparation (Iscador): a re-analysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17182361 The re-analysis demonstrates that the effects shown in the previously published data are consistent despite using different analytic methods and different subsets. Overall, the survival of patients receiving mistletoe treatment with Iscador is longer in these studies.

Survival of glioma patients after complementary treatment with galactoside-specific lectin from mistletoe. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10928154 analysis of stratified stage III/IV glioma patients demonstrated: 1. a tendency for a prolongation of relapse-free survival for patients of the treatment group (17.43 +/- 8.2 months) vs. the control group (10.45 +/- 3.9 months) 2. a statistically significant (BRESLOW p = 0.035) prolongation of the overall survival for the treatment group (20.05 +/- 3.5 months) as compared to the control group (9.90 +/- 2.1 months). These promising data warrant confirmation in a GCP-based prospectively randomized (multicenter) study, which is currently under consideration.

Durable response of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma following high-dose peri-lesional injections of Viscum album extracts–a case report. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23394841 A 78-year-old patient with histologically diagnosed CSCC refused surgical excision and was treated with peri-lesional high-dose VAE. After 10 months of treatment the CSCC had disappeared clinically. The patient has been recurrence-free for 4 years.

Favorable long-term outcome with mistletoe therapy in a patient with centroblastic-centrocytic non-Hodgkin lymphomahttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10605421 Treatment with an extract of mistletoe (Iscador) was initiated and has been continued to-date (12 years). Quality of life throughout ths period has remained good. Phases of uninterrupted treatment resulted in lymphoma regression (regionally complete), while cessation of treatment led to progression.

Durable Regression of Primary Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphoma Following Fever-inducing Mistletoe Treatment: Two Case Reports. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24278797 The patients are in remission to date, 3.5 years after commencement of treatment. Neither patient received conventional cancer treatment during the entire observation period.

Which Mistletoe for what cancer type?

There are four major manufacturers: Abnoba, Iscador, Helixor and Iscucin. Rarely used mistletoe extracts are from Lektinol, Isorel, and Eurixor. (Ref.) The strength of the solution for injection provided by these manufactures is very different, and so the quantity used for therapy. Here is a Figure showing the typical range used by the doctors depending on the brand https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2014/724258/tab1/

There are various differences in the manufacturing proces. For example, Iscasdor is fermented, while Helixor is not.

Apple tree mistletoe is frequently used for breast and abdominal cancer, while pine mistletoe is used for skin cancer and tumors in the nervous system (Ref.). Breast cancer is usually treated with pin mistletoe and abdominal cancer with apple mistletoe (Ref.) Below, is for example a list showing how Helixor recommends the use of mistletoe type depending on the cancer type.

Helixor A (fir tree = Abies)
For initial therapy
During chemotherapy and/or radiation
For patients with reduced general condition
For patients with allergies/atopic diseases
For patients with intolerance of other mistletoe products
For patients with autoimmune co-morbidities (non-florid!)
For the following primary tumors:
Brain tumors or metastasis
Head and neck cancer
Lung cancer
Prostate cancer

Iscador brand type Qu is from oak trees. The Qu type mistletoe is used by men, including all digestive tract cancers from top to bottom, all uro-genital cancers including prostate, as well as thyroid, larynx and respiratory tract cancers.

Helixor type A (from fir trees) is used for men’s cancers as well. Helixor A is also used for children, sensitive patients
who over-react to other forms of mistletoe, for leukemia and multiple myeloma.

P type from pine trees (Pini is Latin for pine tree) are used primarily for skin, testicular, nerve, and nasopharyngeal
cancers, sarcomas, and sometimes for post-menopausal breast cancer. Use in lymphatic cancers such as B-cell
lymphoma and CLL. P type is the most potent for stimulating the bone marrow.

How to apply Mistletoe?

Typically given in a dose escalation strategy, usually 3x/week subcutaneous injections or Intravenous (IV). Sometimes even injected directly in the tumor. When subcutaneous route is chosen, it can be easily given at home.

Usually, a small dose is placed just under the skin to form a little bubble, which should provoke a red flare like an allergic hive, as the immune system reacts. The site of the injection will get red and itchy, within about 24 hours, but should not exceed 5 cm.or 2 inches in diameter, and should vanish by about 48 hours. Large, severe or persistent rashes are an indication to reduce the frequency and dosage of the medicine. The goals is to induce a mild fever of about 1C rise, which may spike in about few hours from administration.

It is further expected to see tumor progression decelerate or even stop, improved general health, and reduced pain. It is a good bone marrow stimulant in drug-induced myelosuppression and in primary marrow diseases and that should improve as well based on statements from clinicians. Some clinicians state that they observe a good response in about 50% of advanced cancers. They further state that many patients go from being disabled and terribly sick to being active and functional, and this can last from months to years, even in the face of a difficult prognosis. However, note that due to the way of action of immune modulating therapies, it is common to see some short-term increase in tumor size. This is the aspect i do not like about immuno therapies.

Note that all treatment aspects matter (manufacturer, injection frequency, dose, etc.) so it is good to learn from the successful trials and case reports, and stick to their approach.

Example of administration procedure of Iscador from a document released by a clinician:

The “Series 0” box has seven ampoules, and one every two days is used. Usually there is no reaction to any of the doses in this set.

If there is a reaction (red spot around the injection site and fever) to any of the last 3 ampoules in the set, then patient will only need a tiny dose in the future. Note that the reactions will vary from day to day, so we need to look at the average size of the reactions. Here is an example of a red spot triggered at the injection site by such a therapy.

If the Series 0 was well tolerated, and no immune reactions were triggered, the next step is to give the equivalent of 1/2 ampoule of the “Spezial 5 mg” series. It is expected to see a red flare in the skin around the injection site, about 1 inch
in diameter, arising in an hour or so, peaking at 24 hours, and gone by 48 hours

No new dose is given until the previous reaction has vanished or at least diminished to a small red dot. If the
reaction is ½ inch across or less, the next dose will be higher. If the reaction is 2 inches or more across, the next dose is
going to be lower. Large reactions take longer to clear off

This process of increasing or reducing the dose has to be followed until the correct dose to be maintained is found – the maintenance dose is found when the red spot around injection site clears off fast enough to allow dosing the mistletoe 2 to 3 times per week

It is very important to never give Mistletoe during a fever over 38 °C. Mistletoe therapy is continued only after the fever is down. On the other hand a rise of core body temperature of about 1°C is a sign of a good response. Other signs of immune system activation by mistletoe can include flu-like symptoms, aching, shivering, and headache.

A pause of 2 weeks is suggested every year in the first 2 years of use, then 4 weeks off in the next 2 years, and 8 weeks break in the 5th year and beyond. If the Mistletoe stops producing a local skin reaction, it may stop controlling the cancer.

Same source discussing Helixor:

For some special cancers such as lymphoma or sarcomas type P from pine trees is used. The P type starts with “Series
0”, but after that comes “Series 1” and next “Series 2”, both of which have escalating dosages in each box, and can go up to 20 mg. Helixor P comes in doses up to 50 mg per mL, which could be pooled together in a multidose vial if a customized dosing protocol will be used and in order to avoid waste of remaining solution taken out of the vial

The maximum dose used is 400 mg, and the usual dose that should not be exceeded is 1mg/kg/day.

It is believed that there is not a problem to switch from similar doses of one product to the other, like from Iscador to Helixor . The Helixor A seems to be the best tolerated, and it is the better immuno-modulator. Therefore it may be best for children, and during chemotherapy. On the other hand, Helixor P is harsher due to higher content of cytotoxic lectins.

Example of the administration procedure in the trial on Pancreatic Cancer:

Strategy: Mistletoe extract was given in escalating doses by subcutaneous injection three times a week. First two subcutaneous injections of 0.01 mg mistletoe extract each, followed by two of 0.1 mg, five of 1 mg, five of 2 mg, eight of 5 mg, and finally by the constant target dose of 10 mg per injection over the remaining duration of the trial. (Ref.)

This info should be enough to be able to have a quick start in understanding how Mistletoe is used. For more ideas on successful administration procedures just browse through the articles referenced above, where successful outcomes are reported following Mistletoe use.

On the Iscador website you can find clinics using it to treat cancer patients. I suggest to anyone to have any new treatment first supported by a medical practitioner to make sure any unexpected reactions are addressed well.

Note: I often discussed Iscador here. This is a result of the research info I have at hand and not because Iscador would be my preferred manufacturer. My only recommendation on this line is that if I would have to buy Mistletoe now, I would probably go for one of the following brands: Abnoba, Iscador, Helixor, since these seem to be the most experienced manufacturers and their products were used in some of the positive case reports.

Synergies

Given that Mistletoe treatment is a form of immuno therapy that relies heavily on immune response, I would make sure I combine this treatment with a treatment strategy focused on lowering acidity in the body (increasing pH). This can be achieved using techniques such as those discussed here: https://www.cancertreatmentsresearch.com/ph-cancer-a-top-treatment-strategy/ This is needed since low pH typically inhibits the activation of the immune cells, through mechanisms discussed elsewhere on this website. The most accessible pH stabilizing treatment is that using Basentabs (food supplements found at online shops in Europe). More intensive and fast alkalizing treatments can be accessed at various private clinics, where e.g. intravenous Natrium Bicarbonate can be used. DCA treatment may also help towards a more alkaline tumor environment.

Note: alkalinization is strongly required when the cancer patient is in advanced stage or tumors are larger.

Other immune activating supplements such as mushrooms, e.g. Coriolus Vesticolor, may also help to maximize the potential benefits of the Mistletoe therapy.

Where to buy Mistletoe?

Most of the private cancer treatment clinics will have Mistletoe available.

Alternatively, anyone can order (without prescription) the injections at German pharmacies. You can use the following page to search the product by the manufacturer (e.g. Iscador) and related prices at various pharmacies https://www.medizinfuchs.de

Avoid the use of mistletoe in patients with over-active thyroid glands (a condition called hyperthyroidism). Mistletoe may cause an inflammatory reaction when used in patients with untreated hyperthyroidism.

Note that mistletoe is in general well tolerated nut in rare cases it may trigger allergic reactions – this is why low dose has to be always tested first in each patient.

During mistletoe therapy there may very occasionally be an activation of a hidden focus of infection in the body, such
as an occult dental abcess with anaerobic bacteria. Other extremely rare occurrences are gallstones, colon infection
and regional lymph node swelling. Cachexic patients may not do as well with mistletoe, as the increase in cytokines
aggravates their metabolic wasting syndrome. In this case Cachexia should be addressed first or at the same time, using solutions such as discussed here and anti inflammatory supplements (e.g. Omega 3) and drugs (e.g. Aspirin).

Disclaimer:

This site is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Through this site and linkages to other sites, I provide general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this site, or through linkages to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. I am not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this site. This is just my own personal opinion regarding what we have learned on this road.

Hello Daniel
I’d like to tell you something about Basentabs. I made the order and started to take (I refer to my wife) 8 cp / day, about 15 days ago. He made urine tests 14 days ago and had PH = 5, so pretty small. Now after 14 days he has PH = 8, so too big, because I saw that normal would be 7.5.
Let’s try to drop out of the total capsules / day, to drop the pH somewhere to 7.5? I mention she is doing chemotherapy every 14 days with irinotecan and avastin and for about 6 weeks she also makes sc injections with a mistletoe extract.

Thanks for the update. Great to hear that you see improvement of pH. I would suggest to speak with a naturopath on what is best regarding the pH or even contact someone like dr. Simocini. You can off course always slightly decrease the capsules/day to get to about 7.5. I would also suggest to read and make sure the chemo you are using is of base type and not acidic while using Basentabs. Or maybe you already checked that?

Yesterday i talked with my new oncologist about my swollen lymph nodes. I chose him only because he does mistletoe and hypothermia. But i got disappointed at our first talk. I asked him about mistletoe and hypothermia. He said that both of these are used for solid tumors and not blood cancers. He said that he never met or seen anyone to use mistletoe for lymphoma. Since lymphoma is in immune system boosting the immune system may worsen the situation. It can make the tumors grow faster. I am not a doctor but if this is true even a healthy immune boosting diet would make the tumors grow. What do you think Daniel?

Thanks for the important tip on alkalizing the body along with mistletoe therapy. My VIP’s (hope you don’t mind me borrowing the acronym) pH is typically between 7-7.5 because of the mostly raw plant-based diet he has adopted, but morning pH can be in the sixes. We have ordered Basentabs to help maintain alkalinity and will be starting them next week.

This article was important for us as it brought to my attention how important immune support is in general, but that it should be a major focus for us at this stage in our journey. As my VIP is currently in NED on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), targeting dormant cancer cells seems a top priority. Dormant and dormant disseminated cancer cells are known to be present and especially problematic in hormone-responsive prostate cancer. As these cells are not vulnerable to therapies targeting cell cycles and accelerated metabolism, immune-based treatments are theorized by several recent scientific papers to hold promise in improving outcomes in terms of relapse. The plan is to discontinue ADT no later than November, reinitiating if needed, but we are hoping to hold it at bay. ADT is hard on the body (Zytiga, Lupron, and Xgevia for bones). As a side note, the severe fatigue my husband experiences has been almost completely remedied by use of medical ozone rectal insufflations, the effect on energy is both instant after a treatment and more enduring. We have also just started ginseng based on this and other studies: http://www.ascopost.com/issues/september-1-2013/american-ginseng-improves-cancer-related-fatigue/, but aren’t sure yet if it is helping.

We are debating between which of the three mistletoe extracts to use, but that may ultimately be determined by price and which one we can get our hands on over here in the good ‘ol US. We will combine it with gcmaff and other immune therapies.

Dear Shanti, I am in an intensive schedule with relatives visiting me for a few days. However I would like to react asap to your comment above. Could you please remind me to react if I forget? Thank you.

We met with our oncologist today and were surprised that he gave the blessing to take a vacation from one of our androgen deprivation meds, Zytiga. We are continuing on Lupron. So, we are now more motivated to start our immune support program. After much debate on Iscador, Helixor and Abnoba, we have decided to go with Abnoba. Iscador has more research, but I found the case studies posted by Daniel compelling for Abnoba (I put the cases into a spreadsheet along with the brand, outcome, dose and route of administration, and cancer type to help with our analysis). Abnoba also has more lectins than Iscador. However, I would value any feedback if anyone has any ‘inside information’ on which may be the better choice. I did notice that the successful case studies almost all used higher dosing and often used routes of administration that were different than the manufacturer recommended dosing/route. We are going to start with the standard dosing/route but if PSA goes up we will consider variations on dosing/route.

On a side note- We have been monitoring my husband’s pH in urine and blood daily, it turns out he is often more alkaline than 7.5, evening pH is often around 8 in urine and his latest reading was 8.5 in urine. This is all due to a raw, plant-based diet, we are not using any products to assist with alkalizing the body, but we do have the basentabs on hand. My urine pH, on the other hand, is typically between 5.5-6.5.

Hello Shanti, I can tell you that my wife started to get mistletoe about four months ago, the first reason being to increase white blood cells during chemotherapy. The only doctor with whom I am able to discuss in Romania works with Abnobaviscum after working with Iscador. I asked him why he did not use Iscador anymore and he said he had many side effects. At abnobaviscum we recommended quercus 0.2mg / ml, of which to make half a vial every two days. We have increased the dose to a whole ampoule. After a month we recommended buying fraxins, which theoretically has higher lectin concentrations, but the effect was not the one expected, so we returned to quercus 0.2 mg / m. The doctor we are talking about uses homeopathic doses, but from what I read in Daniel’s articles or on the net, high doses should be used, IV injected directly into tumors to try to solve a mumps cancer.

Hi Siven, Thank you for taking the time to respond and share your experience. I am pondering the response Daniel has also made to my post, but if we move ahead we will go with Abnoba. Our first inclination was Fraxini, but I am going to call and speak with Abnoba tomorrow via their provider consultation service, I will post here if I learn anything new. My understanding is that it is good to start with the standard dosing but if the desired response is not obtained, higher dosing, IV or intertumoral injection is warranted. I wish you and your wife the very best and success in your treatments.

I think the treatment holiday is great as it gives chances to the androgen deprivation to work for long time.
Regarding the treatments during this holiday, what I would do is a little different:
1. I would not go for Mistletoe now as long as the androgen deprivation works.
2. Next to the alkaline diet low in fats and the supplements you are using, I would make sure
– I use multiple drugs and supplements with strong anti-inflammatory properties to create an environment difficult for tumors to grow in
– I use supplements and drugs that have anti-mets activity (Cimetidine may work well while not on the androgen dep. drugs which otherwise could interfere with them. There are a few more that I discussed on the “Treatments” page) to reduce the chance for adherence of potentially circulating bad cells.

I would use Mistletoe only for active tumors. That is just my feeling. When cancer cells are dormant, it is much more difficult to kill them since they do not stand out much from the crowd in terms of mechanisms that we typically target when they are awake. Working with immune therapies, may wake them up since the therapies acting via the immune system in a “forced” manner may trigger sometimes inflammatory processes. And if the therapy is not effective enough in triggering the death of the cancer cells, we could end-up in a challenging situation.

I do like Mistletoe, but again this is just my feeling: given your situation (not active disease), I would focus more on a preventive approach.

Hi Daniel,
Thank you for your response. I agree that maintaining a microenvironment that is unfavorable to growth is key and that pH, squelching inflammation, anti-angiogenesis and inhibiting metastasis by various mechanisms all angles that should be specifically targeted. As you are aware, there is also evidence that appropriate immune surveillance is also a key mechanism to maintaining cancer cell dormancy because dormant cancer cells are still antigenically distinct from normal cells (see research articles below). My husband has had evidence of lowered immune function for some time. It has also crossed my mind that there could be smaller populations of actively dividing, androgen resistant cells that are not yet populous enough to produce measurable PSA or be detected by PET.

So I am somewhat conflicted as, to your point, stirring up an unusually large number of different cytokines could theoretically have a tumor-promoting effect. We ordered gcmaf and hope to start it next week, but that seems more likely to restore proper function rather than overstimulate. Anyhow, I value your thoughts on this and will be contemplating, maybe opting for one of the low-dose mistletoe dilutions (was initially considering fraxini) if we move forward. I plan on speaking with abnoba tomorrow and will keep in mind that they have a bias.

I think we are pretty solid with our diet and supplements, room for improvement in the off-label drugs department (not hubbies favorite approach but we currently use aspirin and metformin). However, thank you for the cimetidine reminder, the company I work for has actually written several articles on cimetidine and cancer and I will discuss it with my husband.

I know you are so busy and helping so many people, so thank you for your thoughts and no need for a response here unless something important occurs to you. I will definitely reach out with questions if I have more.

Thanks a lot for your reaction and all the links you shared. Very valuable!
Indeed, the immune surveillance is very important. Just that in my view, interference with the immune system is a less controllable process and as a results I would not use strong triggers when the patient is in a non active phase from a tumor point of view. This is a purely personal view/feeling and I may be wrong as well.
I was wondering, what is your source of GcMAF, if it is one that you can disclose. Is it made in Japan?

Let me know if you have any comments on the source. We are starting with oral and if tolerated, will likely switch to injectable once a week and oral twice a week. I question if someone who is in NED has much nagalase, we haven’t tested it due to expense and difficulty of testing (and questionable value).

Like many therapies, it is difficult to ascertain the benefit of GcMaf. I found this article on Snopes informative: https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/09/05/scientists-questionable-institute-cancer/. It starts off with negative slant but then states “It would be easy, looking at the claims made of his research, to dismiss the self-described pioneer of GcMAF as a snake oil salesman, but a deep dive into his career does not offer such an easy out”. The article then takes an amble through the history of GcMaf, the retracted papers, and Yamamoto’s sincere belief in the efficacy of GcMaf. My biggest issue is that his papers looked at nagalase as evidence of efficacy instead of established tumor markers or imaging. I may not have ordered GcMaf had it not been for the testimony of a fellow doctor who uses it and a conversation I had with Dr. Orn Adalsteinsson who has done some unpublished work with GcMaf in the Bahamas. Nonetheless, both of these doctors use other therapies in conjunction, so it is hard to know. Incidentally, I came across an article this morning which completely rearranges the theory of how GcMaf works: http://simplymimi.net/archives/876. For our current situation, we know my husband’s immune system needs support and this is one of the approaches we are using. Best to you always -Shanti

During the past years I was directly interested in GcMAF and gathered a lot of input from various sources including patients (including some of the most heavy warriors of this world in this field) and medical doctors with first hand experience. Some where positive, others not. The emerging view based on all the input is that GcMAF may show results when the tumors are very small, but is not relevant when those are larger. Personally, I have no direct experience with GcMAF. I hope this helps.

This is a good one: How to pull the blanket off dormant cancer cells https://www.nature.com/articles/nmeth.4640 Recent article from Nature exactly on the subject we were discussing and addressing prostate cancer and possible ways to keep cancer cells dormant. If you do not have access to it, please let me know and I will send you the PDF

This one reminds me of…. the more we know, the more we don’t know… the law of diminishing returns?
Anyway…. today i met with a girl at the oncology clinic, she was crying, reminded me of myself in the beginning.
Her father appears to have an in lung widespread cancer, possible metastasis to lymph nodes, neck swollen. Having very hard time breathing, inflammation, cachexia etc etc etc.
There’s been no surgery or prior treatment, they are still waiting for biopsy result.
Somehow this has been only recently diagnoesed, so i looked at her tears today, when the head nurse gave her the news that he may die any day now.
I felt powerless, as anyone does i guess, and i hate that.
Beautiful girl with a lovely mother and a once proud father.
An almost futile question, can something still be done against a situation like this? Or is it already irreversible? Can it be true that “there’s nothing more that can be done” is an actual fact when the situation is that bad? Suppose there was some magic bullet, even for a little while, a breather for a final photo together.

Sometimes i feel guilty, people look at me with a certain degree of envy, they see me not having a port on my hand.
Other times i feel lucky.
I am confused, sad.

Daniel, when i saw her tears it hurt me, because i was there before, i could see myself.
She was burning as i did, in a strange way, i got my time, i can be called lucky i guess, but i don’t know if she will get the same.

No tasty dinner for me … I totally disagree with “there is noting more that can be done”
We are aware of techniques that could help. Finally, it’s in the hands of God what will happen with that man, in this case. And with all of us, in general. But it’s our responsibility to do the best we can to the best of our knowledge as long as someone is still alive. Things are as simple as that. That is at the core of life Alex. At least one of the reasons we are here on this planet. To do the best we can, with the best intentions, to the best of our knowledge. That, as long as the help is accepted/requested.
I think by now you already know various options we discussed that could offer some hope while being easy accessible. Think about that and if you need help please let me know and we could discuss tomorrow eve on Skype.

It appears we’ve been successful at convincing the Doc.
I’ve just been upgraded to assistant oncologist, heck it only took me a year and some lol.
What i wish to say is, my mom was finally told she will get IV’s at home that i will have to perform trough the port that will be left there for this very intent.
I will be to administer drugs at home in iv’s to my mom, drugs that the oncologist will specify.

Congratulations for the upgrade Alex! Off course with that it comes great responsibility! And the firs major point to consider is the risk for infections through the port that could put patient’s life in danger and could require the removal of the port. On the other hand, if every IV is done carefully and in a very clean manner, there can be no infection even after long term use. And having access to the port is a great advantage in terms of the spectrum of treatments that become relevant.

Hi Daniel- Thanks for the article, I just finished reading it, very interesting. I am glad that teams of researchers are starting to develop models to study at a micro level the influences of cancer cell dormancy and activation.